Willowmead,

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14 August 2012

P.G. Biddle

Products

Tree Root Damage to Buildings is the definitive book on the subject, providing a description of how trees and soils interact to create a risk of subsidence damage. It is the essential book for all professionals involved in the subject, particularly structural engineers, loss adjusters, insurance companies, surveyors and arboriculturists, as well as for students and for home owners wishing to understand the subject.

The book comes in 2 volumes:

'Causes, Diagnosis and Remedy' are covered in Volume 1 (382 pages).
See Table of Contents for details of the wide range of subjects that are covered. There is a summary at the end of each Chapter, and important parts of the text are highlighted; these features aid a rapid understanding of the main points.

'Patterns of Soil Drying in Proximity to Trees on Clay Soils'
in Volume 2 (299 pages) presents the results of extensive research. This volume makes no pretences to be an 'interesting read' - it presents the results of the extensive research projects undertaken by Dr Biddle for Milton Keynes Development Corporation, The Department of Environment and National House Building Council. This research forms the basis of much of our understanding of the interaction of trees and clay soils.

Reviews of the book provide a further description of the contents. It is rare to find such complimentary reviews.

The book was originally published in 1998, but almost the entire contents remain accurate and relevant. The only significant change is in Chapter 19 concerning Tree Preservation Orders. Read the original version in the book, then go to the link Tree Preservation Orders, which will take you to a .pdf file that you can download for details of the alterations and their practical implications.